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Herd Immunity, Hong Kong, Twitter: Your Friday Briefing Herd Immunity, Hong Kong, Twitter: Your Friday Briefing
(4 months later)
Good morning.
We’re covering the advances and retreats of the pandemic worldwide, China’s crackdown on Hong Kong and a U.S. challenge to social media.
The coronavirus pandemic’s pace is quickening worldwide, with nearly 700,000 new known infections reported in the last week, many in Latin America and the Gulf States.The coronavirus pandemic’s pace is quickening worldwide, with nearly 700,000 new known infections reported in the last week, many in Latin America and the Gulf States.
New cases are decreasing in France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom after outbreaks that left them with a total of more than 126,000 deaths. In England, groups of up to six people — up from two currently — will be able to meet outside starting on Monday, provided they stay more than six feet apart.New cases are decreasing in France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom after outbreaks that left them with a total of more than 126,000 deaths. In England, groups of up to six people — up from two currently — will be able to meet outside starting on Monday, provided they stay more than six feet apart.
Yet the vast majority of the world’s population remains vulnerable to the virus, new studies found.Yet the vast majority of the world’s population remains vulnerable to the virus, new studies found.
The percentage of those infected is a small fraction of the threshold epidemiologists believe is needed for herd immunity, the point at which the virus can no longer spread widely. Some countries — notably Sweden and briefly Britain — have experimented with limited lockdowns in an effort to build up immunity in their populations.The percentage of those infected is a small fraction of the threshold epidemiologists believe is needed for herd immunity, the point at which the virus can no longer spread widely. Some countries — notably Sweden and briefly Britain — have experimented with limited lockdowns in an effort to build up immunity in their populations.
“We don’t have a good way to safely build it up, to be honest, not in the short term,” a Harvard epidemiologist said.“We don’t have a good way to safely build it up, to be honest, not in the short term,” a Harvard epidemiologist said.
Testing and tracing: Britain rolled out its testing and contact tracing program, a day after France’s Parliament approved a contact tracing app that has set off an intense privacy debate in the country.Testing and tracing: Britain rolled out its testing and contact tracing program, a day after France’s Parliament approved a contact tracing app that has set off an intense privacy debate in the country.
The Times is providing free access to much of our coronavirus coverage, and our Coronavirus Briefing newsletter — like all of our newsletters — is free. Please consider supporting our journalism with a subscription.The Times is providing free access to much of our coronavirus coverage, and our Coronavirus Briefing newsletter — like all of our newsletters — is free. Please consider supporting our journalism with a subscription.
China officially claimed broad powers to quash unrest in Hong Kong.China officially claimed broad powers to quash unrest in Hong Kong.
The country’s legislature nearly unanimously approved a plan to suppress any acts in the semiautonomous city that might threaten national security.The country’s legislature nearly unanimously approved a plan to suppress any acts in the semiautonomous city that might threaten national security.
Final rules to be hashed out in the coming weeks will help determine the fate of a city that has been a link between China and the West for decades. Early signals from the Chinese authorities point to a crackdown once the law takes effect, which is expected by September.Final rules to be hashed out in the coming weeks will help determine the fate of a city that has been a link between China and the West for decades. Early signals from the Chinese authorities point to a crackdown once the law takes effect, which is expected by September.
Despite worldwide pressure on China to back off, including a U.S. threat to end Hong Kong’s special trade status, Beijing did not back down. But even as Chinese officials taunted the U.S. as an imperious meddler, Premier Li Keqiang called for close trade relations between the two countries.Despite worldwide pressure on China to back off, including a U.S. threat to end Hong Kong’s special trade status, Beijing did not back down. But even as Chinese officials taunted the U.S. as an imperious meddler, Premier Li Keqiang called for close trade relations between the two countries.
Angered by Twitter’s moves to fact-check him, President Trump signed an executive order cracking down on social media sites, though it’s unclear if he has the authority to revise the relevant law, which Congress passed in 1996.Angered by Twitter’s moves to fact-check him, President Trump signed an executive order cracking down on social media sites, though it’s unclear if he has the authority to revise the relevant law, which Congress passed in 1996.
The order seeks to strip liability protection in certain cases for companies like Twitter, Google and Facebook, making it easier for people to sue them over their content.The order seeks to strip liability protection in certain cases for companies like Twitter, Google and Facebook, making it easier for people to sue them over their content.
Legal experts say the order is almost certain to face a court challenge. It could also backfire on Mr. Trump: Without the liability shield, social media platforms may be forced to remove posts that could be considered false or defamatory — the boundaries of which Mr. Trump often tests.Legal experts say the order is almost certain to face a court challenge. It could also backfire on Mr. Trump: Without the liability shield, social media platforms may be forced to remove posts that could be considered false or defamatory — the boundaries of which Mr. Trump often tests.
In other developments:In other developments:
In an unusually public announcement, the U.S. National Security Agency accused Russian government hackers of targeting email servers around the world. The move came after Germany said it planned to impose a travel ban and asset freeze on the head of Russian intelligence in response to a 2015 cyberattack on the German Parliament.In an unusually public announcement, the U.S. National Security Agency accused Russian government hackers of targeting email servers around the world. The move came after Germany said it planned to impose a travel ban and asset freeze on the head of Russian intelligence in response to a 2015 cyberattack on the German Parliament.
The Trump administration is moving to sell another cache of munitions to Saudi Arabia, according to lawmakers and congressional aides, a step that would defy Congress and ignore the objections of lawmakers in both parties about Riyadh’s human rights record.The Trump administration is moving to sell another cache of munitions to Saudi Arabia, according to lawmakers and congressional aides, a step that would defy Congress and ignore the objections of lawmakers in both parties about Riyadh’s human rights record.
Like most Europeans, our reporter Patrick Kingsley was used to traveling freely across borders in the European Union. But as he crossed the Czech-German border recently, police officers stopped his car and searched it and his suitcase.Like most Europeans, our reporter Patrick Kingsley was used to traveling freely across borders in the European Union. But as he crossed the Czech-German border recently, police officers stopped his car and searched it and his suitcase.
It was “a mildly inconvenient episode,” he writes, but it also showed “how haphazard and disorientating life in Europe has become” amid the pandemic. We will be publishing a series of dispatches from his trip in the coming days.It was “a mildly inconvenient episode,” he writes, but it also showed “how haphazard and disorientating life in Europe has become” amid the pandemic. We will be publishing a series of dispatches from his trip in the coming days.
Minnesota: Gov. Tim Walz declared a state of emergency in Minneapolis and activated the National Guard to help keep the peace after protests erupted in response to a black man’s death in police custody.Minnesota: Gov. Tim Walz declared a state of emergency in Minneapolis and activated the National Guard to help keep the peace after protests erupted in response to a black man’s death in police custody.
North Korea: The country is using more than 200 shell companies to launder $2.5 billion in assets through international banking, according to a Justice Department indictment. Twenty-eight North Koreans and five Chinese nationals were charged in the scheme.North Korea: The country is using more than 200 shell companies to launder $2.5 billion in assets through international banking, according to a Justice Department indictment. Twenty-eight North Koreans and five Chinese nationals were charged in the scheme.
Hungary: A new law, the first of its kind in Europe, forbids changing a person’s gender on official documents after birth. It was seen as a blow against transgender rights and the latest skirmish in a continuing culture war.Hungary: A new law, the first of its kind in Europe, forbids changing a person’s gender on official documents after birth. It was seen as a blow against transgender rights and the latest skirmish in a continuing culture war.
Netherlands: Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that in accordance with Dutch policies on the coronavirus, he had not visited his 96-year-old mother in a nursing home in the weeks before her death, a move that even critics said matches his “no frills” personality and his belief in playing by the rules.Netherlands: Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that in accordance with Dutch policies on the coronavirus, he had not visited his 96-year-old mother in a nursing home in the weeks before her death, a move that even critics said matches his “no frills” personality and his belief in playing by the rules.
Snapshot: Detail by detail, our critic Jason Farago dissects the painting “The Gross Clinic,” above, by a young Thomas Eakins. The 1875 masterpiece of blood and healing is a depiction of medicine that, he writes, feels particularly relevant right now.Snapshot: Detail by detail, our critic Jason Farago dissects the painting “The Gross Clinic,” above, by a young Thomas Eakins. The 1875 masterpiece of blood and healing is a depiction of medicine that, he writes, feels particularly relevant right now.
Soccer: The English Premier League, the most-watched sports league in the world, is returning on June 17 to stadiums without fans, pending a signoff from the health authorities, after a two-month pandemic suspension. Serie A, which stopped play on March 10 in hard-hit Italy, will also return, on June 20. Germany’s Bundesliga began play last week.Soccer: The English Premier League, the most-watched sports league in the world, is returning on June 17 to stadiums without fans, pending a signoff from the health authorities, after a two-month pandemic suspension. Serie A, which stopped play on March 10 in hard-hit Italy, will also return, on June 20. Germany’s Bundesliga began play last week.
Boston Marathon: The most prestigious U.S. marathon was canceled for the first time in its 124-year history. It had already been postponed to Sept. 14 from April 20.Boston Marathon: The most prestigious U.S. marathon was canceled for the first time in its 124-year history. It had already been postponed to Sept. 14 from April 20.
Post-pandemic offices: Temperature checks, face coverings, desks six feet apart, open windows: yes. Coffee pots and snack bowls, seating in common areas, mass transit: no. These are among the U.S. health authorities’ recommendations for companies that are reopening offices. If followed, the measures would constitute a far-reaching makeover of the corporate work experience.Post-pandemic offices: Temperature checks, face coverings, desks six feet apart, open windows: yes. Coffee pots and snack bowls, seating in common areas, mass transit: no. These are among the U.S. health authorities’ recommendations for companies that are reopening offices. If followed, the measures would constitute a far-reaching makeover of the corporate work experience.
Missing life’s pleasures: Michael Pourfar, a New York neurologist, had a love of fine wine — until he contracted Covid-19 and his sense of smell and taste disappeared. “Losing an appreciation of wine’s flavors was for me like losing the color red from my kaleidoscope,” he said.Missing life’s pleasures: Michael Pourfar, a New York neurologist, had a love of fine wine — until he contracted Covid-19 and his sense of smell and taste disappeared. “Losing an appreciation of wine’s flavors was for me like losing the color red from my kaleidoscope,” he said.
What we’re reading: The Poem-a-Day series. “Amid the noise and clatter of the news, it’s nice to pause and sit quietly with a poem,” Gina Lamb, a Special Sections editor, tells us.What we’re reading: The Poem-a-Day series. “Amid the noise and clatter of the news, it’s nice to pause and sit quietly with a poem,” Gina Lamb, a Special Sections editor, tells us.
Cook: This flavorful grain salad gets its crunch from sliced vegetables and its tenderness from pockets of cooked chickpeas.Cook: This flavorful grain salad gets its crunch from sliced vegetables and its tenderness from pockets of cooked chickpeas.
Watch: “Isolation Stories” on BritBox is one of 15 TV shows our critic picked for you to catch this summer; some are new, some returning. And if you haven’t seen them already, have a look at the comedian Sarah Cooper’s lip-sync impressions of President Trump.Watch: “Isolation Stories” on BritBox is one of 15 TV shows our critic picked for you to catch this summer; some are new, some returning. And if you haven’t seen them already, have a look at the comedian Sarah Cooper’s lip-sync impressions of President Trump.
Read: Are you finding it difficult to sit down with a book? Here are some tips to help you become a better reader. And Chan Koonchung’s dystopian novel “The Fat Years” is about Chinese people forgetting a traumatic crisis — a tale that, at some level, captures the moment.Read: Are you finding it difficult to sit down with a book? Here are some tips to help you become a better reader. And Chan Koonchung’s dystopian novel “The Fat Years” is about Chinese people forgetting a traumatic crisis — a tale that, at some level, captures the moment.
Do: Get started with composting with this easy guide.Do: Get started with composting with this easy guide.
At Home has our full collection of ideas on what to read, cook, watch and do while staying safe at home.At Home has our full collection of ideas on what to read, cook, watch and do while staying safe at home.
Danielle Allentuck is one of 23 young journalists who spent the past year in The Times’s first fellowship group, a program aimed at developing the next generation of reporters and editors.Danielle Allentuck is one of 23 young journalists who spent the past year in The Times’s first fellowship group, a program aimed at developing the next generation of reporters and editors.
She worked on the Sports desk, reporting on N.F.L. draft picks, profiling Simone Biles and covering spring training. She wrote about what she learned along the way. Here’s an excerpt:She worked on the Sports desk, reporting on N.F.L. draft picks, profiling Simone Biles and covering spring training. She wrote about what she learned along the way. Here’s an excerpt:
I was always the youngest person at assignments and often the only woman. I learned how to be confident and stand my ground. When I asked a fan at a Mets game if he would be willing to be interviewed, he told me he couldn’t talk to me because I was “like 12.” I promptly replied: “Geez, that’s so rude. I turned 13 last week.” I kept walking and soon found the perfect person to interview for my story.I was always the youngest person at assignments and often the only woman. I learned how to be confident and stand my ground. When I asked a fan at a Mets game if he would be willing to be interviewed, he told me he couldn’t talk to me because I was “like 12.” I promptly replied: “Geez, that’s so rude. I turned 13 last week.” I kept walking and soon found the perfect person to interview for my story.
Sometimes, other reporters tried to push me out of postgame scrums, but I learned to fight my way to the front so I could be seen and heard. Age is just a number. If you’re hired to do a job, do it.Sometimes, other reporters tried to push me out of postgame scrums, but I learned to fight my way to the front so I could be seen and heard. Age is just a number. If you’re hired to do a job, do it.
My best stories came from observing my surroundings. At the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Kansas City, Mo., I noticed that male gymnasts carried honey around with them. I started asking around and soon discovered they did that to improve their grip.My best stories came from observing my surroundings. At the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Kansas City, Mo., I noticed that male gymnasts carried honey around with them. I started asking around and soon discovered they did that to improve their grip.
I spent hours watching sidearm and submarine pitchers perfect their craft at a training camp in Durham, N.C. I even got to throw a bullpen session. Back in New York, as I worked on edits for the article, I got into a lively debate about arm angles and technique with my colleagues. Soon, we were standing in the middle of the newsroom demonstrating how we would each approach the pitch.I spent hours watching sidearm and submarine pitchers perfect their craft at a training camp in Durham, N.C. I even got to throw a bullpen session. Back in New York, as I worked on edits for the article, I got into a lively debate about arm angles and technique with my colleagues. Soon, we were standing in the middle of the newsroom demonstrating how we would each approach the pitch.
That’s it for this briefing. Enjoy your apéro. See you next time.
— Victoria
Thank youTo Melissa Clark for the recipe, and to Theodore Kim and Jahaan Singh for the rest of the break from the news. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com.Thank youTo Melissa Clark for the recipe, and to Theodore Kim and Jahaan Singh for the rest of the break from the news. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com.
P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is about the new era of U.S. spaceflight.• Here’s today’s Mini Crossword puzzle, and a clue: PlayStation competitor (four letters). You can find all of our puzzles here.• Pete Wells, The Times’s restaurant critic, has won a James Beard Award for his review of the Peter Luger Steak House, a New York City institution.P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is about the new era of U.S. spaceflight.• Here’s today’s Mini Crossword puzzle, and a clue: PlayStation competitor (four letters). You can find all of our puzzles here.• Pete Wells, The Times’s restaurant critic, has won a James Beard Award for his review of the Peter Luger Steak House, a New York City institution.